Question of the Week: Injections and Staying on Course

Recently I read an article entitled, “Taking the Sting Out of Injections” (Momentum, The Magazine of The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Spring 2013, page 40) and I was reminded of the long road I’ve traveled before and after the availability of disease-modifying medications.
In 1987 ...

As we are not the ones having to endure the weekly torture (Avonex) it is from a different perspective that I comment. Evan is now 7 and was diagnosed at 5. We chose Avonex because it was weekly and figured it would be easier if we did it less. I'm telling you the first year was hell. There were weeks when I had to do the injection on...

As we are not the ones having to endure the weekly torture (Avonex) it is from a different perspective that I comment. Evan is now 7 and was diagnosed at 5. We chose Avonex because it was weekly and figured it would be easier if we did it less. I'm telling you the first year was hell. There were weeks when I had to do the injection on my own and once had to physically sit on Evan, almost crushing him to get the injection done. Traumatic for us both. Through it all, at least in front of Evan, this was a NO COMPROMISE, NO NEGOTIATING thing we did each week. We have been consistent and tried several methods to make the whole process more tolerable. Here we are almost 2 years later and Evan, though he knows he may suffer side affects, walks in calmly of his own free will, hops up to where we do it, peels the bandaid off and says "I'm ready". I'm always amazed at his attitude now and he is only 7. I'm am hoping that this no compromise approach will give him the fortitude to stay the course in later years and we hope daily for more options for treatments. Unfortunately, his age makes it difficult to try emerging treatments as they become available. For anyone having to deal with this, stay the course, keep well and remember it's to keep you healthly. It's what we are drilling into our son.

In the 25 years that I've had MS I have never heard such a touching story. It brought tears to my eyes thinking of your sweet little boy. You are right that this experience is teaching him fortitude to face MS and life for all of his days. He will be a strong, confident and fine young man because of the determination and love...

In the 25 years that I've had MS I have never heard such a touching story. It brought tears to my eyes thinking of your sweet little boy. You are right that this experience is teaching him fortitude to face MS and life for all of his days. He will be a strong, confident and fine young man because of the determination and love his mother has always shown him. He is a lucky boy to have such a mom. We are blessed to hear his story that will touch so many hearts.

I wish you and Evan all good wishes, and I'd love to hear how he is as he grows older.

G-d bless you for sharing your sweet and empowering story. May Evan continue to do well in all he does.

I am 41, awaiting final diagnosis of ms. I am wondering about meds a lot. I hate needles, so now I am concerned about that. You mentioned that 6 out of 8 meds are injectable. What about the 2 that are not? Are they pill form? And if so, have you tried them? If I have ms, if would...

I am 41, awaiting final diagnosis of ms. I am wondering about meds a lot. I hate needles, so now I am concerned about that. You mentioned that 6 out of 8 meds are injectable. What about the 2 that are not? Are they pill form? And if so, have you tried them? If I have ms, if would rather take a pill....